The first week of practice for Sun Devil Beach Volleyball has brought more than new faces and new drills. It has a new energy that opposing coaches should be jealous of. Entering her third season in 2026, head coach Kristen Glattfelder is proud of the team she’s assembled, praising it as an incredible group of “great humans with great energy and vibe.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the team will be taking this incredible energy to ASU’s West Valley Campus to give back to the community. Glattfelder and company will host Building Brilliant Futures, a unique and free mentorship program created by Beach Nation Volleyball. It's designed to inspire and empower middle school-aged children not only to explore the sport of beach volleyball but also to understand the values of leadership, perseverance, and dreaming big.
“We're bringing these kids in to experience a college campus, directly interact with our student-athletes and have someone to look up to,” said Glattfelder. “It's amazing to see our athletes embrace the opportunity and connect deeply with the kids when they come on campus.”
The Building Brilliant Futures program blends mentorship with Trevor Ragan’s “Jungle Tiger” curriculum, which encourages students to step outside their comfort zones and embrace challenges.
“Not every kid has the means to attend a camp or sports event,” Glattfelder explained. “This gives them role models and allows our athletes to reflect on their own stories, hardships and opportunities.”
This will be the third time beach volleyball has hosted this event since its pilot launch in 2024, and the initiative has grown rapidly. Attendance has climbed from 30 to an estimated 60 students by the fall and the program has expanded to universities like LSU and New Haven.
Launched in early 2024 as a pilot, the initiative has grown rapidly, with attendance climbing from 30 to nearly 60 students by the fall. The success prompted expansion to the West Valley Campus, with strong support from faculty and staff. The program has also begun to spread nationally, with universities like LSU and New Haven joining the effort, a testament to its growth and success.
For ASU athletes, it’s about more than volleyball. It’s about preparing for life after sports.
“Not every athlete goes pro, but sports teach discipline, teamwork, and resilience,” Glattfelder noted. “Building Better Futures provides tools for success no matter what path our student-athletes or these kids choose.”
“I've had many parents and former student-athletes call me and say thank you because they understand, through all they've learned through sports, what it means to be successful in the real world.”